Seismometer



Nov. 12, 1946. s, SCHERBATSKOY 2,411,117

SEISMOMETER Filed June 10, 1943 RECORDER Patented Nov. 12, 19 46 1 UNITED SEISMOMETER.

Serge A. Scherbatskoy, Tulsa, Okla., assignor to Seismic Engineering Company, Dallas, Tex.

Application June 10, 1943, Serial No. 490,373

1 Claim. (01. 177-352) This invention relates to a detector of seismic waves or what is commonly known as a seismometer.

With similar objects in View, a number of devices of this nature have been used in the past. These may be roughly classified as: i

(a) Mechanical devices such as are usually used for recording natural earthquake waves;

by seismic waves force air currents to pass through v bolometers, thereby varying the bolometer potentials;

(a) Electromagnetic devices of the moving coil variety, in which the position of a coil or coils relative to a magnetic field of substantially constant strength is varied by the earth movements causing a cutting of magnetic lines of force by the coil or coils thus generating electric currents or potentials therein; and (f) Electromagnetic devices in which the reluctance of a magnetic circuit is varied by earth movements, and the resultant variable fluxes are interlinked with electric coils in which corresponding" electric currents or potentials are generated.

The above devices can, of course, be used to detect and/or record disturbances, vibrations or movements in any type of material with which they are in contact and are not confined to the study of natural or artificial earthquakes.

It is the purpose of my invention to provide a new type of seismometer utilizing an electrolyte and two electrodes immersed in the electrolyte and in which the distance between the electrodes is varied by the earth movements. Such a seismometer will be included in a suitable electrical network energized by a source of electrical energy and across the output terminals of the electrical network, electrical currents will be obtained which will correspond to the seismic waves impinging on the seismometer. These electric currents, with or withut suitable amplification, are transmitted tooscillograph elements, the movements of which are recorded 'on a moving photographic strip and 2 by means of explosives or otherwise and the resulting seismic waves after refraction and/or re fiection from sub-surface formations are detected by seismometers.

It is a further purpose of my invention to provide an improved form of construction of vibrational resistances of the type referred to. This construction relates particularly to vibrational electrolytic resistances in which the distance between the electrodes can be varied when the device is exposed to the vibrations that it is desired to measure or to detect.

In general, it is an object of my invention to provide a device for translating mechanical vibrations into electrical currents which involves the principle of varying the distance between electrodes immersed in an electrolyte. Such a device may be constructed in an efficient and compact manner similar to well known other devices for translating mechanical vibrations into electrical currents. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following descriptions when read in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 shows constructional details of my device in a vertical cross section and includes alsoan electrical network connected to the device, the

said network containing a Wheatstone bridge.

represent graphically vibrations caused by the im pinging seismic waves. Such a seismometer is particularly adapted to the art of seismicsurveying in which artificial earthquakes are generated One arm of the bridge consists of the electrolytic resistance of my device. The network is energized with A. C. current.

Fig. 2 shows a horizontal cross section of the device illustrated in Fig. 1, the said cross section being taken along a line ab in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the device illustrated in Fig. 1 and includes also an electrical network connected to the device and energized by a D. C. current.

Fig. 4 shows schematically my device in a modified form and includes also an electrica1 network connected to the device, the said network being energized by an A. C. current and containing a Wheatstone bridge two arms of which consist of the electrolytic resistance of my modified device.

Before proceeding with a detailed description it should be mentioned that any seismograph, whether electrical, mechanical, or otherwise, consists essentially of a frame and of a vibrating mass attached to the frame. The connection between the frame and the vibrating mass is in nearly all cases elastic, that is, it consists of a spring which permits the vibration of the mass. The period of vibration of the mass is adjustedby means of the constants of the spring or by means of additional auxiliary springs. upon which the seismograph is sta ding vibrates,

Whenever the ground 3 as from a natural or artificial earthquake, the frame of the instrument moves with the ground; the mass, which is usually referred to as the "suspended mass, remains substantially at rest. The relative motion or displacement between frame and suspended mass is then utilized for the generation of an electric current in the case of an electric seismograph or in the case of a mechanical seismograph directly actuates a. recording-stylus after suitable magnification by means of levers.

Referring to the drawing and more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, I have provided a casing Ill adapted to be buried or otherwise anchored to the ground so that it will be responsive to slight movements or vibrations of the ground, such for instance as those which might be produced by the passage through the ground of sound or compressional waves. The casing is provided with a cover member se-' cureiy attached to the casing In by suitable screws I2. A ledge I3 is formed on the inner surface of the casing and to this ledge is rigidly secured by means of suitable screws l4 an annular elastic membrane l5, made preferably of thin flexible steel. The elastic membrane I5 is in the form of a ring having its outer periphery rigidly se cured to the ledge I3 and having its inner periphery rigidly connected to an inertia member which consists of a steel cylinder having a relatively large mass. Within the lower part of the casing Hi there is arranged an electrolytic cell 20 which consists of a. container 2| filled with a suitable electrolyte and of two electrodes 22 and 23 immersed in'the electrolyte at suitable distances one from the other. The container 2| is of a cylindrical bellows-like form. It has its base securely attached to the bottom oi the casing 0 and is provided with a cover 24 having the form of a a steel disc and rigidly connected to the inertia the distance between the top cover 24 and the bottom of the casing. The electrodes 22 and 23 are rigidly connected to the cover 24 and the bottom of the casing respectively, and therefore, when the container 2| is subjected to bellowslike motion by expanding or contracting its volume the distance between the electrodes 22 and 23 alternately increases or decreases.

Electrical connecting leads 28 and 29 are secured to the electrodes 22 and 23 respectively. These connecting leads pass outwardly from the casing through a stufiing box 30 provided with a suitable packing 3|. If the casing I0 is stationary an equilibrium condition is reached between the pull of gravity upon the inertia member H and the corresponding reaction of the resilient membrane Hi. This condition is characterized by a certain geometrical configuration of the whole assembly in which the electrodes 22 and 23 are spaced one from the servation and consequently under the aforementioned conditions when the casing is stationary the electrolyte resistance between the electrodes 22 and 23 has a fixed and predetermined value, because the distance between the electrodes 22 and 23 is fixed and predetermined.

It is-readily appreciated that if the casing I8 is moved 'up and down, for instance by sound vibrations or otherwise, the inertiamember I! will tend to remain stationary and the distance between the electrodes 22 and23 will vary.be-, cause of the flexibility of the walls of the container 2| which will produce bellows-like motions by allowing the volume of the container to alternately expand and contract. It is obvious that the variation in the distance between the l electrodes 22 and 23 will cause variations in the frequency f is applied between the terminals 45 and 46, the terminal 45 being the point of junction of the resistor 43 and the lead 29 and the terminal 46 being the point of junction of the resistors 4| and 42. The resistors 4|, 42 and 43 have been so chosen that when the casing I0 is stationary the ratio of resistance 4| to resistance 42 is equal to the ratio of the electrolytic resistance to the resistance 43. It can readily be shown that the bridge is balanced, that is, the

potential difierence resulting from the source 44 and applied across the terminals 45 and 46 will cause no potential differenceto, exist between terminals 50 and 5|, the terminal 5|] being the point of junction of the resistor 4| and of the lead 28, and the terminal 5| being the point of junction of theresistors 42 and 43. The terminals 50 and 5| are connected to the primary windings of the transformer 54-, the secondary windings of which are connected to the input terminals of an amplifier 51. Thus under such circumstances no matter what voltage is derived from the source 44 no signal appears across the output terminals of the amplifier 51.

As described in the preceding paragraphs-the geophone consists of a casing III which is the wave responsive element adapted to be buried or anchored in the ground or other medium in order to partake in'the vibration. The inertia element H is mounted upon the diaphragm I5 in such a relation to the casing III that a relative movement will be produced between the inertia element and the casing whenever a. vibration or train of waves strikesthe device. An electrolyte is provided within the device and suitable electrodes are arranged within the electrolyte in such a manner that the relative distance between the electrodes 22 and 23 varies in accordance with the relative movement between the casing l0 and the inertia element l'l. Consequently, whenever a vibration or a train of waves strikes the geophone the resistance of the electrolyte as viewed from the leads 28 and 29 is varied in accordance with the said vibration or said train of waves.

Now assume that the geophone is properly inserted in the ground and a vibration is received which tends to move the casing upwardly. Due to the inertia of the member I1 the distance between the electrodes 22 and 23 decreases and consequently the electrolytic resistance as viewed from the leads 28 and 29 decreases. It will be readily appreciated that under such conditions the ratios between the resistance 63 and the electrolytic resistance changes and the bridge be- 7 comes unbalanced and as the motion of the casing upwards-continues, the said ratio departs I 6 signal supplied from terminal 41a, 41b and the signal. supplied from terminals 15a, 15b.

Consider now the ring modulator circuit contained in the rectangle 60. The circuit shown therein comprises a bridge circuit consisting of four rectifiers BI, 82, 83.84 each of the said rectifiers constituting a separate arm of the bridge circuit and arranged so that the current can flow only in an anticlockwise direction. The upper corner of the bridge 85 and the lower corner of the bridge 86 are respectively connected to the input terminals 41a, 41b and are also connected one to another by means of equal resistances 81 and 88 in series. The other corners of the bridge 89, 90 are respectively connected. to the output terminals 16a, 16b and'are also connected one to another by a pair of equal resistances 9i, 92 in I series, The other input terminals 15a, 15b of the magnitude, passes throughthe zero value, subsequently it reverses its polarity and increases again with the downward motion of the casing Hi. It is therefore apparent that the unbalance voltage appearing across the output terminals of the transformer 55 is being represented by a modulated carrier, the frequency of the carrier being the same as that of the source id and the modulation varying in accordance with the motion of the geophone casing It. It is desired to reproduce electrically the geophone motion and I am accomplishing thispurpose by demodulating the unbalance voltage derived from the Wheatstone bridge. Consequently in such an ar rangement the instantaneous value or such a demodulated voltage will represent at any instant the magnitude of the displacement ofthe casing ill from its neutral position and the polarity of this voltage will indicate at any instant whether or not the impressed displacement has been cfiected in the upward or in the downward direction. In order to accomplish this purpose I am amplifying the output voltage derived from the unbalanced bridge in an A. C. amplifier r'il' and am subsequently applying the output terminals of the amplifiers! to a, ring modulator contained within the dotted rectangle B6. The ring modulator 6!! is provided with two pairs of input terminals 41a, Nb and 15a, b respectively and one pair of output terminals 76a, 75b. The input terminals 61a, Alb are connected to the output of the amplifier 57, the input terminals 55a, 55b receive the output from the source of voltage M and the output terminals 76a, 76b are connected to a recorder included in the dotted rectangle 99.

The ring modulator is well known in the art' and has been described in an article by R. S. Carruthers on Copper oxide modulators in carrier telephone systems, the Bell System Technical Journal, vol. XVIII, 1939, pp. 315-337. The type of the circuit contained in the dotted rectangle 6B is illustrated in Fig. 2c page 318 of the said article. The ring modulator is essentially a double balanced modulator. By double balanced is meant a modulator in which each input is balanced out from the output, and the output contains therefore substantially only the modulation products.

Across the output terminals 16a, 16b of the modulator 60 therefore appears a signal which among other modulation products contains signals corresponding to the product between the ring modulator are respectively connected to the point 93 connecting the resistances 81, 88 and to the point 94 connecting the resistances 9|, 92.

With the circuit as described, current derived from the terminals dl'a, dlb may flow either through the rectifiers 82, 83 or through the rectifiers 8d, 8! depending upon its direction, but it can never flow through all the four rectifiers at the same time, since the rectifiers 82, 83 on one hand and the rectifiers 8%, 8| on the other hand are arranged to flow in opposite directions.

Suppose now for purpose of illustration that the voltage derived from the terminals l5a, 75b

and the unbalance voltage derived from the ter-.

' minals ia, d'lb are simultaneously applied, and

suppose that both voltages are in phase, i. e., the

. jterminal ela becomes positive as compared to the terminal fill; and at the same time the terminal 75a becomes positive as compared to the terminal 75b. Then one part of the current tends to flow I from the terminal 150. to the terminal 93 and through the resistor ill to the terminal and then through the rectifier 82 and through the re sistor 5i back to the terminal 752). Th other part of the current tends to flow from the terminal 15a to the terminal 93 and through the resistor 88 backto the terminal 86 and through the rectifier 85 and through the resistor 92 back to the terminalitb. The currents flowing through the resistors iii, 92 are equal and of opposite directions.

It is apparent that under the conditions described in the preceding paragraph the polarity of the terminals 85, 86 will be positive with respect to the polarity of the terminals 961, 89. Consequently, positive voltages are applied to rectifiers 82. 8t. Therefore, these rectifiers will lose their ability of rectifying currents, and Will allow currents to traverse them in both directions. At the same time negative voltages are applied to rectifiers iii. 88; consequently, the rectifiers 8|, '83 will retain their rectifying ability and will block currents attempting to traverse them in the negative direction. Therefore, the rectifiers B2 and 8d are conductive in both directions, and consequently, when the unbalance voltage is being developed across the terminals lla, Mb, we find that a current tends to pass from the terminal GM to the terminal 8-5 and then through the rectifier 82 through the resistors 9| and 92 to the terminal 90 then through the rectifier 8 3 back to the terminal dlb. This current superposes it-v self upon the current which is already flowing through the resistors 9| and 92 and consequently the resultant current passing through the resistor ill becomes larger than the current passing through the resistor 92, consequently, the balancing that existed before is offset because there is a situation where the current flow through the resistor 9| is increased as compared to the current flow through the resistor 92. Thus the voltage drop across the resistor 9| becomes greater and a positive overall voltage is developed across the terminals 16a, 1612. It can be-also readily seen that when the unbalance voltage applied across the terminals 41a, 41b increases in magnitude the corresponding resultant voltage obtained. across the output terminal 76a, 16b increases in magnitude also.

It can be shown that if the polarity of the first input voltage would reverse with respect to the second input voltage, i. e., if we suppose that the terminal 15a becomes positive as compared to the terminal 15b and the terminal 41a becomes negative as compared to the terminal 41b then the balance becomes offset in the opposite direction, because there is a situationwhere the current flow through the resistor 92 is increased as I a polarity opposite to the case described above.

It can also be shown that in an intermediate situation where the signal voltage derived from the input terminals 15a, 15b is displaced by 90 degrees with respect to the voltage derived from the input terminals 41a, 41b then the D. C. voltage output from ring modulator is zero.

Let us designate the voltage applied across the terminals 15a, 151; as E1 sin 21:- ft. Then the unbalance voltage derived from the Wheatstone bridge and applied across the terminals Ma, 47b can be represented by a carrier of the frequency f, modulated by the geophone motion according to a function A(t) which represents the variation of the instantaneous displacement of the geophone casing Withrespect to time.

Consequently, the unbalance voltage can be represented by the following expression: Ad) sin 21r it. It can be readily appreciated that under these conditions the voltage derived from the output terminals 16a, 16b of thering modulator varies with time as the function Mt), i. e., this voltage represents theearth motion. The voltage derived from the ring modulator is subsequently applied to the recorder 99.

The recorder 99 may be of conventional type used in seismic prospecting, which includes a moving coil galvanometer connected to the terminals 16a, 16b havin a mirror attached to its coil. This galvanometer is arranged in such relation to a moving strip of sensitized paper 62 and to a light source 63 so as to record on the paper a wave form or trace which has its longitudinal axis parallel with the longitudinal axis of the strip of paper. This strip of paper is moved longitudinally at a substantially constant speed by means of a motor 64.

Fig. 3 illustrates another embodiment of my invention in which in place of an A. C. source of electrical energy a D. C. source is used. The geophones used in the arrangements of Fig. 1 and of Fig. 3 are of an identical construction. In Fig. 3 however, the output leads 28 and 29 of the geophone are connected to a Wheatstone bridge circuit I which is energized by a D. C. source of voltage, which is represented by a battery I0l. One arm of the Wheatstone bridge consists of the electrolytic resistance inserted between the leads 28, 29 and the remaining three arms of the bridge circuit consists of resistors I02, I03 and I04. The resistor I04 is in series with the electrolyte of the geophone, the resistor I02 is in series with the resistor I03, and the resistors I02, I03 are in parallel with the resistor I04 and the electrolyte. The battery MI is connected across the diagonal points I05 and I06 of the bridge. are connected to the input terminals of an amplifier I I0 the output terminals of which are connected to the recorder III. The recorder III is of a construction similar to the recorder 99 in Fig. 1.

When the casingof the geophone is stationary, i. e., in the absence of any seismic excitation, the resistance of the electrolyte between the leads 28, 29 depends upon the surrounding temperature. In order to compensate any possible variations in the ambient temperature the resistor I04 of the bridge is made adjustable and its value is so adjusted that it is exactly the same as the-resistance of the electrolytein the geophone. The resistances of the arms I02 and I03 are made equal one to another. Under such conditions the bridge is balanced and no voltage appears across the input terminals of the amplifier IIO. Consequently, the signal applied to the recorder III is zero.

When, however, the geophone casing I0 is moved upward by an incoming seismic wave, the resistance of the electrolyte between the leads 28, 29 decreases. Consequently the bridge I00 becomes unbalanced and a D. C. voltage appears across the output terminals of the amplifier 0. It can be readily appreciated that the magnitude of the said voltage represents the degree of unbalance of the bridge. Consequently, when the motion of the casing I0 upwards continues, the unbalance of the bridge continues and the voltage across the output terminals of the amplifier H0 becomes larger. When, however, the motion of the casing upwards has attained a maximum and then decreases by passing through the normal equilibrium position the voltage across the terminals of the amplifier H0 decreases and reaches the value zero.

The seismic disturbances striking the geophone are of an oscillatory character and therefore they cause the casing of the 'geophone to move upwards to a maximum upward displacement then downwards through the neutral position to a maximum downward displacement then back to the neutral position, etc. It is readily apparent that when the casing passes through its neutral position in the downward direction, the unbalance voltage across the output terminals of the amplifier I I0 reappears again with a polarity which is opposite to the one referred to in the preceding paragraph. Consequently, the polarity of the unbalance voltage appearing across the output terminals ofthe amplifier I I0 represents the upwards or downward direction of the impressed displacement, and the magnitude of the voltage bodiment of Fig. 3.

ElecI:. 1 'olyticresistors of many ypes and kinds have been madelingthe past, but most or them were subject tolimitstions oi polarization, gass- The other diagonal points I01, I08

mined amounts.

ing, non-uniformity or lack of permanence. The use of electrolytic resistors has been confined therefore to applications in which these detrimental features were not objectionable or for which they possessed some positive advantages. Because of polarization and gassing when used with direct currents, electrolytic resistors are more generally associated with A. C. circuits. However, certain types may be used successfully in D. C. circuits.

'I'he electrolyte used in the devices shown in Fig, l or Fig. 3 may consist of copper sulphate and the electrodes of copper plates or of mercury nitrate with mercury electrodes, or any other combination of electrolyte and electrodes such that the passage of current through the electrolyte does not cause any change in the chemical constitution of the electrolyte or of the electrodes and no gases are generated. Such an electrolyte may be used in connection with A. C. or D. C. currents.

Instead of employing electrodes and an electrolyte which undergo no change in their chemical constitution 'by the passage of the current, electrodes and an electrolyte in which such change does occur may be employed, but in this case it is desirable to select the electrolyte and the electrodes so that the chemical changes are reversible, whereby permanent change in the chemical constitution can be prevented by reversing the direction of current flow from time to time. Such an arrangement is illustrated in Fig. 1 an A, C.

. source is being supplied to the terminals t5 and moved upwards or downwards by incoming seismic vibrations, then the intertia member 2!! will tend to remain stationary and the distances between the electrodes 222 and 220 from .the intermediate electrode 22! will correspondinglyvary. It is obvious that the variation in the distance between these electrodes will cause variations in the electric resistance between the electrodes.

inserted between the leads 23!, 232. A source of alternating current 244 of a frequency f is applied across the terminals 245 and 226, the terminal 2&5 being connected to the lead 23H and 436 of the Wheatstone bridge and causes periodic reversals of the current passing through the electrolyte between the electrodes 22 and 23.

Consider now Figure 4 representing. an improved system for deriving a voltage from a varying electrolytic resistance. The geophone shown in the figure and designated by the numeral 206 consists of a casing 2!!) adapted to be buried in the ground so that it will be responsive to the vibration of the ground. The casing is provided with a cover member 2!! securely attached to the casing 2 ill by suitable screws 2J2. A ledge 2 i3 is formed on the inner surface of the casing and to this ledge is secured by means of suitable screws 2 It an annular membrane 2 5 made preferably of thin flexible steel. The membrane 2!5 is in the form of a ring having its outer periphery rigidly secured to the ledge 2 i3 and having its inner periphery rigidly connected to an inertia member which consists of a steel cylinder 2!! having a relatively large mass. Casing 220 contains an electrolyte which fills it almost completely, the upper level of the said electrolyte being designated by 2 !8. Within the electrolyte 3 electrodes are immersed: an upper electrode 22d, intermediate electrode 22! and a lower electrode 222. The electrodes 226 and 222 are rigidly secured to the casing 2H3 by means of bars 225, 225 respectively and the electrode 22! is, rigidly secured to the inertia member 2!? and participates in the motions thereof. Electrical connecting leads 23G, 23! and 232 are respectively connected to the electrodes 22B, 22! and 222.

Vil'hen the casing 2H is stationary an equilibrium condition is reached between the pull-of gravity upon the inertia member 2 I l and the corresponding reaction of the resilient membrane 2i5. This condition is characterized by a certain geometrical configuration of the whole assembly in which the electrodes 22d and 222 are spaced from the intermediate electrode 22i by predeter- If, however, the casing H3 is ing from the source 244 and applied across the terminal 255, 2% will cause no potential difierence between the terminals 250, 25!, the terminal 250 being the point of junction of the lead 230 and the resistor 24! and the terminal 25! being the point of junction of the lead 232 and theresistor 262. The terminals 250, 25! are connected to the primary windings of the transformer 252 the secondary windings of which are connected to the input terminal of the amplifier 251. Assume that the geophone is properly inserted in the ground and vibration is received which tends to move the casing 240 upwards. Due to the inertia of the member 2!? the distance between the electrodes 222 and 22! decreases and the distance between the electrodes 22! and 22!! increases. Consequently the ratio of the electrolytic resistances between the electrodes 222, 22! and 22E 22!) increases and the bridge 250 becomes unbalanced. It is apparent that the more the casing 2 it becomes displaced in the upward direction the more unbalanced becomes the bridge and the larger is the unbalanced voltage derived from terminals 250 and 25!. This unbalanced voltage is being represented by a modulated carrier the frequency of the carrier being the same as that of the source 246 and the modulation varying in accordance with the motion of the geophone casing 21%. It is desired to produce an electrical current that is a facsimile of the geophone motion and I accomplish this purpose by demodulating the unbalance voltage derived from the Wheatstone bridge by means of a ring modulator 260 having its input terminals 261a and 2511) connected to the output of the amplifier 25! and. having its input terminals 215a, 2151) connected to the source of voltage 254. The ring modulator 250 is of a construction substantially similar to the one described by the numeral 60 in Fig. 1. Consequently, the voltage derived from the output terminals of the ring modulator 26d varies with time as the displacement of the geophone casing. This voltage is subsequently applied to a recorder 299 which is of the conventional type substantially similar to the recorder designated by the numeral 29 in Fig. 1. Thus I obtain by means of the recorder 299 a wave form 11 i or trace representing the vibration to which the geophone is subjected.

I claim:

A geophone for translating the earth vibrations into corresponding electrical oscillations, said geophone comprising an outer casing adapted to be subjected to the earth vibrations, an inertia member within said casing, a ring-like elastic flexible bellows-like container located within said '12 casing' and below said membrane. a conductive liquid within said container, electrodes immersed insaid liquid and suitably positioned within said container in a definite spacial relationship one to another, connecting elements between said electrodes and said outer casing and said inertia member, respectively, whereby variation in the spacing between said electrodes is produced in response to said vibration and the resistance of said liquid between-said electrodes varies in accordance with the variation in said spacing,

. sman A. SCTSKOY. 

